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Student
numbers
in the city
hit record,
says Dyer

Posted
Friday, September 1, 2017 10:40 am

“We want to be good stewards of the tax dollar and do all we can to live within our means. Our growth has facilitated the need for the new Candy’s Creek Cherokee Elementary School now, but we will need to closely watch the middle and high school to ensure our educational programming is appropriate for the number of students in those buildings.””

— Dr. Russell Dyer

By SARALYN NORKUS
Staff Writer

Things continue to trend upward with Cleveland City Schools enrollment, with the school system has reaching an all-time high of 5,626 students as of the 15th day of the 2017-18 school year.

That’s 72 more students than last year, and when comparing the numbers to the 2011-12 school year, almost 600 more students than were in city schools seven years ago.

“We must continue to plan for all future needs,” said Director of Schools Dr. Russell Dyer.

“We want to be good stewards of the tax dollar and do all we can to live within our means. Our growth has facilitated the need for the new Candy’s Creek Cherokee Elementary School now, but we will need to closely watch the middle and high school to ensure our educational programming is appropriate for the number of students in those buildings.”

The total enrollment for this school year includes 359 at Arnold Elementary, 541 at Blythe-Bower Elementary, 530 at Mayfield Elementary, 378 at E.L. Ross, 432 at Stuart Elementary and 323 at Yates Primary. Cleveland Middle School has 1,342 students enrolled this year and Cleveland High School is at 1,663 students. The F.I. Denning Center has 58 students.

According to Dyer, all schools are currently at capacity or above at this time.

CCS has a seven-year total gain of 578 students and its average yearly growth has been around 95 students per year. According to Director of Student Management Michael A. Kahrs, the system is expecting to grow at a rate of 50 to 80 students per year.

“The new elementary school will remedy any issues we have regarding capacity at the elementary level. A five-year plan is being completed by our Operations Department that will help chart our future needs. That plan should be completed in October and shared with the Board of Education at that time,” Dyer commented.

Cleveland City Schools has also seen an increase in Hispanic students, going from 20.4 percent in 2016-17 to 22.1 percent for the 2017-18 school year.

CHS and Denning Center are 2017 U.S. Civics All-Stars

After seeing every senior graduating with a regular diploma earn a passing grade on the U.S. civics test, Cleveland High School and the Denning Center of Technology and Careers have been named 2017 U.S. Civics All-Star Schools by the Tennessee Department of Education.

“Cleveland High's All Star government classes are a testament to the hard work and preparation of its students,” stated CHS government teacher Adam Renshaw.

“Last year's seniors, in particular, took a great deal of pride in preparing for the citizenship test, and debating the relevant political issues of the day. I am so proud of our government classes and look forward to repeating the high standards reached by last year's students.”

Per state law, the project-based civics assessments are developed by the district to ensure students are taught the social studies standards as well as to demonstrate understanding of civics. All public high school students must participate in the U.S. citizenship test; however, a passing grade is not a requirement for graduation.